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Apple watch adapter only thread

dictoresno

dictoresno

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Original poster
Apr 30, 2012
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Ok so I've seen a bunch of threads that mix talk about straps and mounting hardware like new third party adapters. I'm in the market for some but don't want to go digging through those threads looking for the best adapters.

So if you currently own a set of third party strap adapters can you please post them up here, the links to buy it and pictures. Personally, I'm looking for a set of grey adapters that fit a 22-24 mm NATO strap.

Keep these things in mind when you post:

1.) What color it comes in
2.) Where you bought them, include a link if possible
3.) Price
4.) Do they come in both 38 and 42mm sizes
5.) What size band does it fit (22 or 24 mm)
6.) If you bought them, how is the quality or fitment

I'm considering the following one on eBay but the seller isn't understanding my question of what band size this fits, 22 or 24 mm.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=261912490746
 
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Gjwilly

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May 1, 2011
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dictoresno

dictoresno

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Apr 30, 2012
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I would've bought those but the one I listed claimed to be in NJ already with much faster shipping. I'll let you guys know what the fit is like when I get them.
 
dictoresno

dictoresno

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Apr 30, 2012
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Gjwilly said:
Please do.
I saw those when looking for gray but got put off by his pics.
He's showing incomplete adapters without rubber bumpers and locking tabs.
What's up with that?
Click to expand...

Who knows. Probably just showing the machined item without the other parts. Besides, half these adapters on eBay share the same stock photos. You truly never knew what you're getting from them. But I'm willing to bet they are all the exact same, made by the same Chinese company. The auction claims they are in NJ but when I emailed him through eBay about the band size they fit, it said he is based in China. And after two emails to him asking if they fit a 24 mm Zulu strap, he responded to both saying they fit 42 mm lol. He's not understanding so I'm not even gonna bother anymore and will find out myself when it gets here. For $12 I don't mind if they are junk and lose the money.
 
pooleman

pooleman

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Jan 11, 2012
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Gjwilly said:
I bought these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351392349550?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=620494904388&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

They come in silver and black and the fit is perfect.
I've seen some pics where the adapter stuck out a bit or had uneven edges but these sit perfectly flush with my watch and the seams are straight and even.
I bought the 42mm black and the color is nowhere close to my space gray watch but since my band is black (24mm) it's good enough for me.
Click to expand...

Can we get pics?
 
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Gjwilly

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pooleman said:
Can we get pics?
Click to expand...
 
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NovemberWhiskey

NovemberWhiskey

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/22176573932...49&var=520612059978&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I do NOT recommend them. They tried to make a high quality product. They claim it is SS, and it is finished nicely on the polished side. But the problem is that it ships in a bag as loose components (nothing assembled) and they arrived with scratches EVERYWHERE on the polished side. I was able to assemble one of adapters no problem, but the other set would not not fit (could not put the wire lugs into the adapter part).

Even though it was only shipping from Oregon to CA (which is normally 2-3 days at most), this one took over a week for some reason. It was marked as shipped the next day, but I don't think it went to the post office until the end of the week.

I tried to slide it into my watch, and the fit was VERY tight. I was only able to get it in 1/4 of the way before abandoning in fear of damaging my watch. The rubber gaskets on the adapter were of a much cheaper quality than the OEM Apple ones.

This experience alone has put me off from any aftermarket adapters. I'm only using the OEM black classic buckle one from now on. It's not worth damaging the mechanism in your watch, or scratching the connection point.
 
pooleman

pooleman

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NovemberWhiskey said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221765739328?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&var=520612059978&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I do NOT recommend them. They tried to make a high quality product. They claim it is SS, and it is finished nicely on the polished side. But the problem is that it ships in a bag as loose components (nothing assembled) and they arrived with scratches EVERYWHERE on the polished side. I was able to assemble one of adapters no problem, but the other set would not not fit (could not put the wire lugs into the adapter part).

Even though it was only shipping from Oregon to CA (which is normally 2-3 days at most), this one took over a week for some reason. It was marked as shipped the next day, but I don't think it went to the post office until the end of the week.

I tried to slide it into my watch, and the fit was VERY tight. I was only able to get it in 1/4 of the way before abandoning in fear of damaging my watch. The rubber gaskets on the adapter were of a much cheaper quality than the OEM Apple ones.

This experience alone has put me off from any aftermarket adapters. I'm only using the OEM black classic buckle one from now on. It's not worth damaging the mechanism in your watch, or scratching the connection point.
Click to expand...
NovemberWhiskey said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221765739328?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&var=520612059978&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I do NOT recommend them. They tried to make a high quality product. They claim it is SS, and it is finished nicely on the polished side. But the problem is that it ships in a bag as loose components (nothing assembled) and they arrived with scratches EVERYWHERE on the polished side. I was able to assemble one of adapters no problem, but the other set would not not fit (could not put the wire lugs into the adapter part).

Even though it was only shipping from Oregon to CA (which is normally 2-3 days at most), this one took over a week for some reason. It was marked as shipped the next day, but I don't think it went to the post office until the end of the week.

I tried to slide it into my watch, and the fit was VERY tight. I was only able to get it in 1/4 of the way before abandoning in fear of damaging my watch. The rubber gaskets on the adapter were of a much cheaper quality than the OEM Apple ones.

This experience alone has put me off from any aftermarket adapters. I'm only using the OEM black classic buckle one from now on. It's not worth damaging the mechanism in your watch, or scratching the connection point.
Click to expand...

Do we think Apple will sell these adapters eventually?
 
fischersd

fischersd

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Oct 23, 2014
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pooleman said:
Do we think Apple will sell these adapters eventually?
Click to expand...
Nope, never. They've invested millions in their proprietary connector to push people to use it in the design of their bands as well as the Apple bands.
You'll see third party apple bands, using an Apple connector, but Apple will never "bless" circumventing their intent to standardize this interface.
 
pooleman

pooleman

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fischersd said:
Nope, never. They've invested millions in their proprietary connector to push people to use it in the design of their bands as well as the Apple bands.
You'll see third party apple bands, using an Apple connector, but Apple will never "bless" circumventing their intent to standardize this interface.
Click to expand...
If you buy a band from apple where the adapter isn't molded to the strap can you disassemble the adapter for use with a third party band?
 
fischersd

fischersd

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Oct 23, 2014
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Port Moody, BC, Canada
pooleman said:
If you buy a band from apple where the adapter isn't molded to the strap can you disassemble the adapter for use with a third party band?
Click to expand...
Heh...I'm still waiting for my watch (and not buying any bands until it arrives - no point in negating my return period before I even have my watch) :)

Isn't that the case with some of the Apple bands? (that the connector is separate?) Could easily find out from someone that has one if there are screws holding the bar on. :)
 
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Gjwilly

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May 1, 2011
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pooleman said:
If you buy a band from apple where the adapter isn't molded to the strap can you disassemble the adapter for use with a third party band?
Click to expand...

Yes.
That's how this was first discovered.
The classic buckle band has an adapter that can be disassembled.
Almost all of these adapters are just a knockoff of the genuine adapter.
 
luckyblue

luckyblue

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Jan 7, 2010
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I found one on Amazon that is Prime. My watch is aluminum silver and the adapter is more of a stainless steel, but it seems to work regardless. I think they come in 38mm and 42mm, and they have the SG color and gold.

I have the Hoco stainless steel band and the adapters that came with it aren't that great. These ones go in firmly and you can tell that it's a snug, solid fit. It doesn't rock back and forth like the Hoco adapter. As soon as I received it I purchased another once since I have other bands that I want to be able to swap out easily. Did I mention that it's Prime! :)

http://www.amazon.com/STOUCH-Connec...p/B00XPR4ECK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
 
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